Dogsbody:I worked as a yacht captain on the Treasure Coast for ten years and have returned from the Bahamas dozens of times. Never have I received a visit from customs. Of course, I've always called to report in immediately after tying up to the dock.

The way the process works for yachts is, when you arrive at your dock you dial a 1-800 number for customs. They'll ask you for a crew and passenger list and the number from your customs decal (which you apply for by mail once a year). In every case I've been involved in, they have said, "OK, here's your clearance number. You and the passengers have 24 hours to report to immigration and check in. In West Palm, that's at the cruise ship terminal. There is always a chance they'll tell you to stay on board because they're sending officers down for an inspection, but I've only ever had that happen in Key West and they just came by and confiscated my Mexican fruit (Mexican fruit is not a metaphor).

I've never heard of customs patrolling Palm Harbor Marina, unless they're looking for something or someone specific. It seems like they may have had their eye on this guy.